Q. Hello, Kristina. So what got you into make-up?
A. I have always enjoyed improving upon things. It could be my room, my wardrobe, my work. But I found the art of makeup most creatively satisfying. It’s fascinating to see a face transform and come alive under a few master brush strokes. The sense of harmony and balance that good makeup can bring to a face and the confidence that can bring out is very important for me.
Q. What has been the biggest highlight of your career?
A. That’s not easy to answer for me. I take up every task with the same amount of passion and excitement. Sure, there are exciting surprises present when you are working with the likes of Nicole Scherzinger, Gina Torres, Tyrese Gibson, Stephanie McMahon, Princess Beatrice, Tommy Hilfiger, and more. But then, I have thoroughly enjoyed conducting a live masterclass at the 2016-2017 Dubai Bridal show. Being on stage, seeing people’s live reactions to the transformation is a high in itself. I have also worked with a few royal families of UAE and that too was an interesting assignment as it pushed my creativity to its limit. Overall, it’s the thrill of working, experiencing butterflies in the stomach before every assignment that makes me look forward to the business day after day.
Q. How do you balance a professional, a mother, and a wife Kristina?
A. It’s no secret. Ask anyone who gets to do what they love and they’ll tell you that it’s more a blessing than anything else. I am a very hands-on yet practical mother. I don’t my kids to stay immature and irresponsible by depending on me for the rest of my life. That’s not good for anybody. As parents, we talk to our kids as individuals who can understand life. We don’t mollycoddle them or ignore them. That’s my approach as a mom. As a wife, I like to be level-headed when it comes to our ambitions and goals. Again, we talk and communicate to find our way through tough situations. As a professional, I am the same except I am aware that the circle of my responsibility is larger.